Aaron Hollander

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
First Equity Group, Inc.
Tel: (203) 291-7700
Email: ahollander@firstequity.com

Aaron P. Hollander combined his passion for aerospace, motor sports and business during his career.  As principal, he has led the turnaround and growth of several aviation, defense, and motor sports companies. Most recently, Mr. Hollander served as Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of First Aviation Services Inc. which he co-founded in 1995 as a leading provider of repair and overhaul services to the aviation industry worldwide. First Aviation’s principal operating subsidiaries are Aerospace Turbine Rotables, Inc., Evōlution Aerospace, Inc., Aviation Blade Services, Inc., Heliblade International LLC, Associated Aircraft Manufacturing & Sales, Inc., and Piedmont Propulsion Systems LLC. First Aviation entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by AMETEK (NYSE: AME) in May of 2026. From December 2001 to July 2009, Mr. Hollander also served as CEO of Skip Barber Racing School LLC and until February 2012 served as Chairman and CEO of Imtek, LLC. 

Aaron Hollander is currently Chairman & CEO of First Equity Group which he co-founded in 1985 as a merchant bank in the aerospace and defense industry and was involved in some of the most significant transactions impacting those sectors.  Mr. Hollander held SEC Series 7, 63, 24 and 27 through First Equity’s broker dealer, FED Securities.  Prior to co-founding First Equity, Mr. Hollander worked for the Boston Consulting Group, and as a CPA and CMA with Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young).                

Mr. Hollander holds an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATP) with instrument, multi-engine, helicopter, seaplane, and glider ratings, and with type ratings for Learjet 25/35/55, Lear 40/45, Embraer Phenom E50P and Citation CE-510S.  He has been a speaker at various aerospace industry conferences, including the National Business Aircraft Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration and is a life member of the National Aeronautics Association. 

Mr. Hollander received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned an M.B.A. with distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was the Copeland Award recipient.

Mr. Hollander is a Trustee of the Yale New Haven Health System and on the board of Tango Flight, supporting STEM programs in aviation. Mr. Hollander has been on the board of directors or served in a volunteer capacity for numerous not-for-profit organizations including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America, Yankee Council. He is the recipient of BSA's Silver Beaver recognition. Mr. Hollander served as the Chairman of the Greenwich Chapter of the World Presidents’ Organization (WPO) and the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and was past Chairman of the Aviation Network. Mr. Hollander volunteers as a mentor in Bassick High School, Bridgeport, CT working with students to build an LSA aircraft.

Joshua Krotec

Executive Director
First Equity Group, Inc.
Tel: (203) 291-7700
Email: jkrotec@firstequity.com

Joshua T. Krotec is Executive Director of the First Equity Group (FEG) and leads corporate strategic initiatives including merger, acquisition and other corporate development projects for FEG and its principal holdings.

Based on his experience working with the United States Government and his knowledge of the aviation industry, Josh has served as President of the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), and currently services on the Board of Directors of ARSA and, separately, the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA).  Josh has also been appointed by Secretary of Commerce and United States Trade Representative to the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Aerospace Equipment.    Josh has also been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to serve as Industry Chairman of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness (ICA) Aviation Rulemaking Committee, a 32-month assignment tasked with resolving nearly four decades of debate over FAA’s ICA regulation, policy and guidance. 

Josh previously served on the Board of Directors of First Equity affiliates DART Aerospace Ltd. and PropWorks Propeller Systems Ltd., and as a member of the Associate Member Council of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), and as Chairman of ARSA’s Government Affairs Committee.

Josh’s early career includes many roles in First Equity portfolio companies, such as First Aviation Services Inc., Aerospace Products International, Inc. and First Equity Development, Inc.   In 2016, Josh was recognized as a “Top 40 under 40” / Next Generation Aviation Maintenance Professional of the Year by Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine.  Similarly, under Josh’s leadership, First Aviation Services Inc. was named the “MRO of the Year – Military Center of Excellence” by the editors of Aviation Week & Space Technology.

Josh holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management with Honors and Director’s List recognition from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Josh also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Economics with concentrations in Finance and Accounting from Wharton, graduating Magna Cum Laude and earning Nelson Foundation and Joseph Wharton Scholarship honors. In addition, Josh holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Systems Engineering (focus in Logistics Systems) with a minor in Mathematics from the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Pennsylvania. Josh also worked in the Department of Finance at The Wharton School where his research led to publications in the field of investment management and trading.

Josh holds Commercial Pilot and Remote Pilot airman certificates with EMB-500, CE-510(S), single-engine, multi-engine and instrument airplane ratings.  Josh resides in Wilmington, Delaware, USA.